An Old Fashioned Southern Romance Novel (10 page)

“You are a liar, Hattie. Warrenton would not deceive me. I shall go ask him right this minute.”

Vidalia stomped across the lawn and walked back into the house she had been inhabiting for the past several days.

“Warren, who is Marigold?” Vidalia demanded.

Warrenton began to stammer incoherently.

“So, it’s true? You are engaged?”
The beautiful girl demanded to know.

“Vidalia, it’s complicated. It is simply a marriage of convenience. I do not love the woman. In fact, she is blackmailing me into this marriage. It is you that I am falling for. I don’t love her, I swear.”

“Then why didn’t you tell me about her?” Vidalia demanded.

“I didn’t think you would give me the time of day if I told you. We were having so much fun. It never seemed to be the right time.”

“So you used me? You deceived me and then you used me and then you were going to dump me when it was time for you to take your vows? What was I? A good time?”

Vidalia did not wait for an answer. She stormed through the house and clear out the back door. She marched into a wooden shed and returned to the house with a can of gasoline. She began dousing the back of the house with the 5-gallon can. When the can was empty and she was satisfied that the house was sufficiently flammable, she took a match to it. She calmly walked back to the Big House and picked up the telephone. She nonchalantly dialed 9-1-1 and instructed them to send the police for her.

“I just set my boyfriend’s house on fire,” she told them.

By the time the authorities arrived, it was too late to save Warrenton’s family home. Onlookers, including Warrenton, stood outside as the police took Vidalia away. 

Chapter Thirteen

Caroline had returned from yet another trip to Martha’s Vineyard. But this time she brought back a souvenir.

“I can’t believe you agreed to come here with me, Chad. You barely let me kiss you.”

“I wanted to see the world through your eyes – your very blue eyes.”

“It’s not much different from the world through your green eyes,” she assured him.

“You would be surprised what a difference one shade makes.”

“You say that, but I don’t really see you as Black.”

“That’s what you say now, but should we ever experience the kind of racial divide that this country once saw, you and
I would be worlds apart, Caroline. My bank accounts are not an equalization mechanism compared to race ideology.”

“What?” Caroline asked, confused.

“No matter how rich I am, I will always be Black. Even if I married someone like you, our children would still be Black. It’s the One Drop rule.”

“One drop is about all you have. For heaven’s sake, Chad, you’re as pale as I am.”

“That is all I need to set me a world apart from you. So, is that why you like me? Because I am not frightening or intimidating?”

“I like you because you are handsome, rich, charming, and darn funny.”

“So, what is your story, then? Why did you bring me here? I’m sure there are a lot of men in this town lining up at your doorstep, waiting to ask your father for your hand in marriage.”

“
Not exactly,” Caroline looked down.

“Let me guess. You’re a free spirit and you’ve been ‘free’ with your amorous displays of affection.”

“I am not a whore,” Caroline refuted.

“
I never said you were.”

“You think it,
” Caroline replied.

“No, I don’t. I think you are insecure and you are looking for validation and you will do almost anything to get it. If people don’t like you, so what? You don’t have to do anything to make them change their mind.
Look, Caroline, you are a great woman. Don’t let anyone make you think differently about yourself. You will know when you’ve met the right person because they will tell you what you don’t want to hear and they will not try to take advantage of you.”

“So far,
the only person I have met that matches that description is you.”

“As flattering as that is, I don’t think I am the man for you
,” Warrenton spoke honestly.

“Why not? You too good for some poor White trash?”
Caroline wanted to know.

“Uh, no. Caroline, don’t pretend like we are not from two different worlds. In Martha’s Vineyard or France, it would not be as big an issue. But here in the Good Ole’ South, you could come home from a day of shopping to find your beloved husband hanging from a tree.”

“They most certainly do not do that anymore!”

“You are more naïve than I thought. Or maybe you know I am telling the truth and you are just trying to convince me.”

“Why does it have to be this way? I finally find the man of my dreams and just because he is a different race, we can’t be together.”

“Because that is the way the world is, Caroline. That’s why I have not settled down. All the women
I meet are either White, out for a payday, or both. Most Black women think I’m either White or corny, so they don’t want to have anything to do with me. I am trapped between two worlds, neither of which I fully belong.”

“Oh my God! I feel the same way.
You know, except the part about being Black. I feel like people look down on me because my family is considered New Money and not Old Money. I don’t feel as cultured and classy as my other friends. So, I do experience low self-esteem from time to time. When I feel that way, I throw myself at men because I know they are always willing to catch. Every now and then I meet someone like you who tells me to just be myself and things will fall into place.”

“So, what do we do from here? I really like you, Car
oline. But, I can’t risk my life for this relationship.”

“So, another time and place and we could be together?”

“Absolutely.”

“So what do we do until then?”
Caroline pressed.

“Just keep living our lives and hope that our paths cross again when the world is a different place.”

“That could take a lifetime,” Caroline assured Chad.

“And
I will probably still be alone,” Chad conceded.

Caroline and Chad spent the next few days at her house. Her family was away and it did not go unnoticed by Chad. He was sure that she would have never brought him there if she was not alone. He was not nervous, however. Everyone knew his family and many of the people in town owned summer homes where he lived. So, they knew who he was.
They probably would never have expected to find him in their home, however.

When it was time for Chad to return home, Caroline did not want him to leave. The end of summer was near and that time of year always made Caroline sad. She always associated the season with returning to school, which she hated. She enjoyed the summers and being at home. School was dreadful place for a young Caroline. She was teased incessantly for her
fiery red hair – the same hair that would later garner all the attention of the boys. She was grossly overweight and had freckles to boot. So, the summers were her refuge. She spent the long, hot days inside to avoid sunburn on her translucent white skin. Caroline did not have many friends, so food was her closest confidant. As she got older, she traded in her Twinkies for something more addictive and dangerous. She spent a disproportionate amount of time being a doormat to the young men about town. That kind of behavior earned her the reputation that she was never quite able to get rid of, even as an adult. But, her continued immoral behavior did not help either. People don’t quickly forget your shortcomings, mistakes, and pitfalls, but it is especially hard for them to do so when you continue to make them. Now that Caroline has found someone she truly cares about, she is concerned that her past has caught up with her. But, Caroline’s past is the least of their problems. Chad’s life could be in danger if the wrong person disapproves of their relationship.

Chapter Fourteen

In all of his poor taste and judgment, Warrenton showed remarkable class when it came to his father’s home-going service.
Bishop Devereaux’s church was filled to capacity not only with people, but with the most beautiful, elegant décor the mourners had ever seen. He spared no expense with the white lilies, yellow azaleas, and purple tulips that filled the large church with incredible, aromatic fragrance. It was a shame that Annabella was missing out on one of the things she love most – beautiful flowers. But, in the sea of White faces, hers was hardly missed and soon Warrenton began to wonder what he saw in hers at all. After all, what was so special about Annabella? Sure, she was beautiful, but so were a thousand other girls in town and they were not nearly as difficult to get along with as Annabella. She was simply incorrigible. But alas, she was no longer Warrenton’s headache. Annabella was gone and Warrenton couldn’t be happier. After all, he had finally settled on a bride and she was everything he ever wanted. To say that the townspeople disapproved would be an understatement. Marigold was downright hated in the community. So, it was a surprise to all when Warrenton showed up to his father’s funeral with the lengthy woman on his arm. While many tried to ignore the pairing out of respect for Warrenton’s father, some just could not let it go. Warrenton’s older sister had traveled from Washington to be there and she was in no mood to be cordial.

“What is she doing here?”
Delilah demanded to know.

“Sister, please. This is hardly the place. Show some respect and kindly seat yourself!”

“I will do nothing of the sort,” the stout woman assured her younger brother. “Daddy would never approve of this piece of compost!”

“Who are you calling compost? Lard butt!”

With that, Delilah swung her hefty handbag at the beanstalk of a woman. Marigold was struck square on the back and she wasted no time retaliating. She reached down to grab a handful of hair, but instead de-wigged the unsuspecting sibling. Delilah began to scream in horror as she placed both hands atop her bald head.

“I will kill you!” She screamed as she charged after Marigold.
Marigold began to run through the aisles, wig in hand, to evade the robust woman. Delilah was fueled by adrenaline and hate and she would not tire soon. Marigold attempted to jump over some arrangements and zigzag through others until the entire church was covered in flower petals. Onlookers shrieked in horror, but not one of them dared interfere with what appeared to be a family affair. When Delilah finally caught Marigold, it did not look good for her. Delilah snatched the wig from the young woman and began slapping her in the face with it. When Marigold attempted to block her face, Delilah grabbed her arms and wrestled her to the ground with them. Delilah commenced to sitting atop the woman and pounding her in the face. Marigold screamed to the delight of some of the mourners. Warrenton attempted to rescue his fiancée from his obviously deranged sister, but she took a swing at his face too. Warrenton had no choice but to allow the security officers to subdue her. It took more than two men to accomplish the task, but soon Delilah was handcuffed behind her back. She did not appear any less inclined to beat her nemesis to a bloody pulp, though she was now unable to attempt to do so. She was able to assess the damage she had caused as she was escorted out of the church and she was content that she had caused the girl physical harm. Marigold appeared to be dazed and still in disbelief about the events that had just occurred. She was no more in shock than the thousands that had turned out to send Daddy Boatwright home in peace. Warrenton tried to compose himself and comfort the woman he planned to marry. It was of little use, though, as Marigold was a complete wreck. One of the deaconesses escorted Marigold outside and motioned for Warrenton to sit down for the service. He felt comfortable enough with the elderly woman to trust that no harm would come to Marigold and he sat down to honor his father. Soon, like true Southerners, everyone acted as if a knock-down, drag-out fight did not occur just a few minutes prior.

Daddy Boatwright was eulogized by his long-time friend, the bishop himself. The bishop was purposely long-winded, as he felt the man deserved to be honored in a way that meant usurping others’ time. But the gist of his recognition was that while Mr. Boatwright was an heir, he was also a self-made man. Warrenton’s father was larger than life. He was a philanthr
opist and a former service man. He came from a long line of military men, including forefathers who fought in the revolutionary war and the civil war. Daddy Boatwright was not an elitist, but rather a down-home southerner. Money could not turn him into something he was not. People wanted to work for him because they knew he was a fair man and he had more friends than he knew what to do with. He never kept domestic help on around the clock, because he taught his family to be self-sufficient. Whether Warrenton was a spoiled brat was none of his daddy’s doing. Now Mr. Boatwright was gone and everyone around him would just have to go on with their lives.

Chapter Fifteen

Hattie feverishly stuffed the new documents in an inconspicuous bag and rushed out to the car. She was sure that what she had obtained from the private detective was enough to implicate Marigold in extortion and put an end to the impending wedding between Marigold and Warrenton. Hattie desperately wanted Warrenton to call off the wedding and resume his relationship with Annabella. Annabella had been in London for weeks and claimed that she was happy, but Hattie knew better. She had raised Annabella for the most part and she knew that the girl was not happy. Annabella and Warrenton were meant to be together and Hattie was going to do everything she could to make sure that happened. But, Warrenton seemed less and less enthusiastic about what Hattie had uncovered. It was almost like he was giving up and
resolved to spending the rest of his life with a woman who was extorting him. It was a side of Warrenton Hattie had never seen. She had watched Warrenton grow up and she knew he was not a doormat. Warrenton was a fighter. He was charismatic, strong, and pragmatic. He could solve a problem from every angle and he always came out a winner. So, to see him accept such an asinine deal as the one Marigold was offering him was perplexing. It was especially troubling since he and Annabella had finally made a real connection. Hattie thought for sure that she would be finally marrying off her little Annabella. It was a day she had looked forward to for at least the last ten years. But alas, something always happens to ruin Annabella’s happiness. Hattie still reflects back on that day and wonders what really happened in Warrenton’s driveway. There was no real way to know what happened at all. According to all parties involved, everything happened so fast. But, it was especially interesting to Hattie that Marigold called an attorney before she ever called EMS. Was she hurt or was her pride hurt? Either way, Hattie was sure she had the evidence she needed to prove that Marigold was feigning her injuries and extorting Warrenton. The question was whether or not Warrenton and his ham of a lawyer would be willing to listen. After all, the lawyer stood to earn up to 30% for representing Warrenton. Surely it was enough for him to retire and live out the rest of his years in the lap of luxury. Hattie was convinced that the attorney was not willing to sacrifice his bird in the hand for what was in the bush. But, Hattie had to try. For as much as she knew Warrenton and his reputation, she believed Annabella was the one woman he truly cared about. That was enough for Hattie to stick out her neck and try to make sense of everything that was happening. Annabella had no idea that Hattie was working behind the scenes and trying to get her back together with Warrenton. Otherwise, she would surely tell Hattie to drop the whole thing. Annabella was quick to give up. She never had much confidence in other people. She figured if Warrenton was going to marry Marigold, then it was something he wanted to do all along. But, that did not set well with Hattie. If someone is willing to force you to marry them, then what kind of life could you possibly have together? No, Hattie was not going to let it happen without trying to make sense of things. If, at the end of the day Warrenton was intent on marrying the woman, Hattie would accept it, but she was not going to accept it without trying to put that gutter trash in her place for once and for all. Hattie was, however disappointed in Annabella for running off without trying to make sense of things. She was frustrated with Annabella for not staying and fighting for what is hers. Hattie had always fought Annabella’s fights and she was still fighting them now. Hattie questioned whether or not she was really helping the girl or if she was further enabling her. But, it was of no matter at the moment. The ball had been set in motion. Whatever the outcome, Hattie was going to expose Marigold for what she is. If Warrenton chose to go forward with the marriage out of sheer loneliness and desperation, that would be his choice. And in that case, it would be best that Annabella did not marry him, lest she be stuck with someone as neurotic and confused as she is. When Hattie arrived at the attorney’s office, she was greeted by the grease ball of a lawyer.